I mean…
Since there’s a phobia for everything else, *why not*?
I’m really not going to be before y’all super long this week because you all may just present enough comments to where a long blog simply wasn’t necessary. I just want to say that I’m a bit concerned right now and after reading a recently article entitled, “God’s Wife Edited Out of the Bible—Almost” (RME-which is my way of saying “Rolling My Eyes”), I felt that it was a sign that what I’m thinking about needs to be said. Outloud. Well, in print…outloud. 😉
Last year, the Comforter (John 14:16-AMP) had me “in the lane” of 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV):
“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
And this year, it’s been more about John 1:1 (NKJV):
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
EVERY SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED. THE WORD WAS GOD.
You know, not to get all preachy because I promise that is not the intent, but I’m looking around at how, for the sake of this blog for instance, sexuality is being (mis)handled and I’m starting to wonder more and more if the Bible even matters to people anymore. And I’m not talking about people who don’t revere it as doctrine. I’m talking about those of us in the Church, in the family of believers(I Corinthians 5:9-12). When the Word says, for instance, that those in sexual sin, *all forms of sexual sin*, will not inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:8-10), I wonder if we peep that one of the lines in that is *do not be deceived*… into thinking otherwise. That means, “Do not be mislead by false statements”; “Do not deluded”; “Do not be bamboozled, betrayed, cheated, defrauded, fooled, hoaxed, screwed, taken advantage of, tricked, victimized”.
I was having an interesting conversation with some people about why I don’t fornicate, er, anymore. And honestly, it’s *only because* the Bible says not to. Those who don’t agree with me, does that make them “Abstinence-phobic”? C’mon. I doubt they’re scared of celibacy. To me, that term is thrown around so much that it’s becoming a tool of deceit: “Unless you say that what I’m doing is right, then you’re scared…and because of your fear, you’re gonna hurt me.” Gimme a break.
We either believe in the Bible or we don’t. We either stand for the truth, by *striving to live it*, or we don’t. All of this editing/deleting/rewriting/cosigning that’s going on right now to meet our personal choices and/or carnal needs…that’s not walking in freedom. David said in Psalm 119:45 (NKJV), “And I will walk in liberty, for I seek your precepts.” A precept is “a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct”. Galatians 5:13 (NJKV) says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Loving others is about protecting them, encouraging them, helping them with maintaining their own spiritual self-preservation. It’s bothering me that it seems like we’re so busy trying to be “liked” that we are not being *truthful* and as believers, according to Luke 6:26 (yes, the Message), “Our task is to be true, not popular.” The Amplified puts it this way: “Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly and handsomely of you and praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets.” FALSE PROPHETS. People with a platform, who do not speak *total truth*.
Personally, I’ve been caught up in enough versions and levels and types of sexual sin that I’m not *scared* of it. I’m simply *aware* of the damage that it can do. Whenever people want to debate me on fornication, masturbation, porn, lesbianism, emotional affairs…I’m like, “Well, my life is *a lot more peaceful* doing what the Bible says. It was *a lot more chaotic* when I wasn’t.” Yeah, and the Bible even has *that* covered:
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…”—I Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
We have been forewarned that people would transform themselves as apostles of Christ. That *just as Satan* can transform himself into an angel of light, people will transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, “whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15-NKJV) And more and more, I see people speaking *for* things that are directly *against* the Word.
I’ll just leave it at this: I read the news everyday and I see what sex outside of God’s intention for marital covenant (Genesis 2:18-25) is doing to the earth and even with all of the *deceitful tactics* that apparently seem to be working, I can’t help but ask…
“When it comes to reading and following the Bible, *who’s really the phobics*?”